The First Ever Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms

The Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms Given by Islam more than 1400 Years Ago

Following is the last sermon of The Last Messenger of Almighty Allah, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him)

Note: This sermon was delivered on the Ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah, 10 A.H. ( 623AD) at Mount Arafat in Makkah on the day of Hajj. This is also known as the Farewell Pilgrimage.

After praising and thanking Allah the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) began with the words:

“O People! Lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore, listen carefully to what I am saying and take these words to those who could not be present here today.”

“O People! just as you regard this month, this day ,this city as sacred ,so regard the life and property of every Muslim a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that he will indeed reckon your deeds.”

“Allah has forbidden you to take usury, therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital is yours to keep .You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequality. Allah has judged that there shall be no interest and that all interest due to Abbas Ibn ‘Aal-Muttalib be waived.”

“Every right arising out of homicide in pre-Islamic days is henceforth waived and the first such right that I waive is that arising from the murder of Rabiah ibni al-Harithiah.”

“O men! the unbelievers indulge in tampering with the calendar in order to make permissible that which Allah forbade, and to prohibit what Allah has made permissible. With Allah the months are twelve in number. Four of them are holy, there are successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumada and Shaban.”

“Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will be able to lead you astray in big things so beware of following him in small things.”

“O People it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well never to be unchaste.”

“O People! listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers, fast during month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat .Perform Haj if you can afford it.”

“All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a White has no superiority over a Black nor a Black has any superiority over a White except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly.”

“Do not therefore do injustice to yourselves. Remember one day you will meet Allah and answer your deeds. So beware, do not astray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.”

“O People! No Prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore O People! and understand words that I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and the Sunnah and if you follow these you will never go astray.”

“All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly.”

“O Allah, be my witness, that I have conveyed your message to your people.”

As part of this sermon, the prophet recited to them a revelation from Allah, which he had just received, and which completed the Quran, for it was the last passage to be revealed:

This day the disbeliever’s despair of prevailing against your religion, so fear them not, but fear Me (Allah)! This day have I perfected for you, your religion and fulfilled My favor unto you, and it hath been My good pleasure to choose Islam for you as your religion. (Surah 5, Ayah 3)

The sermon was repeated sentence by sentence by Safwan’s brother Rabiah (RA), who had powerful voice, at the request of the Prophet and he faithfully, proclaimed to over ten thousand gathered on the occasion. Towards the end of his sermon, the Prophet asked “O people, have I faithfully delivered unto you my message?” A powerful murmur of assents “O Allah! yes!” arose from thousands of pilgrims and the vibrant words “Allahumma Na’m,” rolled like thunder throughout the valley. The Prophet raised his forefinger and said: “O Allah bear witness that I have conveyed your message to your people.”

Reminder from the Holy Qur'an

56|4|When the earth is shaken with a shock.

Reminder from the Hadith

The Prophet Muhammad, Peace be upon him, said: "Seven kinds of people will be sheltered under the shade of Allah on the Day of Judgment...They are: a just ruler, a young man/woman who passed his youth in the worship and service of Allah...one whose heart is attached to the masjid...two people who love each other for the sake of Allah...a man/woman who is invited to sin...but declines, saying 'I fear Allah'...one who spends his/her charity in secret, without making a show...and one who remembers Allah in solitude so that his/her eyes overflow (with tears)." - Riyadh-us-Saliheen, Hadith 376